Police fine home carer for taking lunch break at beauty spot

[MercyBooth]

The force that covers Bristol

www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-03-26/somerset-carer-in-tears-after-being-fined-for-covid-lockdown-rule-breach-at-a-beauty-spot

Can’t believe this shit is still happening

A lot of people won't agree with me here, but this item has been somewhat distorted and sensationalised by the news.

What it should have read as is "Woman fined for driving 7 miles to a beauty spot".

Her job is irrelevant. If she'd stopped at a location on her way home that would have been different, but she drove 7 miles in the opposite direction to her home after the appointment.

It's also irrelevant that she was having lunch.

There's a separate debate about whether or not we should be fining people for travelling to these beauty spots, but I guess if they didn't, lots of people would be going there, they'd be crowded and then you do have a problem.

But this is the police doing their job as they've been told to - no more, no less.

It seems to be forces in the south/west/Midlands on the biggest power trips. I have to hand it to northern forces - they've been mostly live and let live which has made things a lot less hostile and volatile

I'm in the north and the police seem to have been pretty sensible here yes, they've broken up large parties etc but in my town you can sit on a bench with a coffee no problem.

Her job is irrelevant. If she'd stopped at a location on her way home that would have been different, but she drove 7 miles in the opposite direction to her home after the appointment.

I may be reading it wrong but I dont think there is anything in law that says you can't drive 7 miles. I dont think you can be fined for something that isnt against the law just because the police dont like it.

@BonnieDundee

It seems to be forces in the south/west/Midlands on the biggest power trips. I have to hand it to northern forces - they've been mostly live and let live which has made things a lot less hostile and volatile

I'm in the north and the police seem to have been pretty sensible here yes, they've broken up large parties etc but in my town you can sit on a bench with a coffee no problem.

Her job is irrelevant. If she'd stopped at a location on her way home that would have been different, but she drove 7 miles in the opposite direction to her home after the appointment.

I may be reading it wrong but I dont think there is anything in law that says you can't drive 7 miles. I dont think you can be fined for something that isnt against the law just because the police dont like it.

I may be reading it wrong but I dont think there is anything in law that says you can't drive 7 miles

The law is currently stay at home unless you have a valid reason for travel. The fact that she left the house with a valid reason (work) is irrelevant! If it were not then people could leave home to go shopping (valid) and then drive 200 miles for a jolly!

The guidance is also that exercise should be taken in your local area - this was nearly 10 miles away from her home!

Whether or not a court would uphold the fine is another matter - the guidance isn't necessarily the same thing as the law - my point is that this is no different to anyone else simply leaving home to drive to a beauty spot which most people have long known is not allowed.

Boris Johnson puffed 7 miles from home, on his bike, through central London.

No fine.

This woman ate a sandwich in her car 7 miles from home, and was about to take a walk after a day doing highly essential work.

Fine.

The guidance is also that exercise should be taken in your local area - this was nearly 10 miles away from her home!

I may be wrong but I dont think you can be fined for bot sticking to guidance.

Whether or not a court would uphold the fine is another matter - the guidance isn't necessarily the same thing as the law - my point is that this is no different to anyone else simply leaving home to drive to a beauty spot whichmostpeople have long known is not allowed.

Nowhere in the law does it say you are not allowed to drive for exercise.

A police officer did an AMA thread on here a few weeks ago and was asked what they considered local. I think they said three miles. I know it’s open to interpretation but I consider local how far would or could I usually walk from my house.

@PicsInRed

Boris Johnson puffed 7 miles from home, on his bike, through central London.

No fine.

This woman ate a sandwich in her car 7 miles from home, and was about to take a walk after a day doing highly essential work.

Fine.

But, she didn’t say she was going to exercise that’s the point. She said to the police she was listening to music, 10 miles from home in a secluded place alone.

Im not sure it happened really. It’s all very strange.

There's a separate debate about whether or not we should be fining people for travelling to these beauty spots, but I guess if they didn't, lots of people would be going there, they'd be crowded and then you do have a problem.

They'd be 'crowded'??? Have you ever visited a London park?

I hope a law firm takes her on to appeal this. She did nothing to warrant a fine.

www.huntsabs.org.uk/hsa-exclusive-fox-hunters-own-footage-catches-them-breaking-lockdown/

@Ikora

A police officer did an AMA thread on here a few weeks ago and was asked what they considered local. I think they said three miles. I know it’s open to interpretation but I consider local how far would or could I usually walk from my house.

Most of the alleged police officers who post on MN don’t seem too bright tbh.

Honestly deeply concerns me we are at a point that some are defending a woman being fined for daring to drive somewhere nice to have her lunch in her own car not bothering anyone

@Witchesbelazy

Honestly deeply concerns me we are at a point that some are defending a woman being fined for daring to drive somewhere nice to have her lunch in her own car not bothering anyone

Absolutely this.